Rail-joint.



PATENTED DEC. a, 1903.

' W. A. MOFFAT.

.- RAIL JOINT.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 12, 1901. RENEWED MAY 14. 1903.

no MODEL.

UNITED STATES Patented December 8, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

RAIL-JOINT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 746,550, dated December 8, 1903. Application filed August 12, 1901. Renewed llliay 14,1903. Serial No. 157.193. (Nd model.)

' other whereby a perfectly level seat is formedfor the abutting ends of the rails and a solid vise-like clamp provided for clamping both of the flanges of. the rails. or bars are so constructed and arranged that the interlocking connection between the same i is established without resort to bolts and outside fastening devices, and the necessary ex pansion and contraction of the rails is also provided for.

Thesections of the device are the counter-,. parts of each other, so that only one form of pattern is necessary.

The device also provides a wide bearing and Wearing surface, so as to prevent mutila tion of the ties, and in view of the fact that the plates or bars are preferably of wroughtiron there is no danger of fracture.

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists in a rail-joint embodying certain novel features and details of construction and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter fully described, illustrate.d,and claimed-- In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the adjacent ends of a pair of rails, showing the splice-bars applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through the joint, omitting the rails. Fig. 3 is a cross-section through Fig. 1, taken on the line 3 3 of said figure. Fig. 4isa similar cross-section taken in line with the interlocking tongues and opening, and Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of one of the splice-bars looking toward the inner side thereof.

Like numerals of reference denote like parts in all figures of the drawings.

In carrying out the present invention I an ploy a pair of splice bars or plates 1, each of which is the counterpart of the other. Each The splice plates splice-bar comprises a base portion 2, upon projecting lugs 4, having openings therein for the reception of ordinary spikes 5 whereby the splice-bars are securely fastened upon the ties. Each splice bar comprises an outwardly-extending body portion or flange 5, which is curved in ogee form to correspond with the curvature of the outer surface ofthe Web 6 and base-flange 7 of the rail at one side, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, said flange 5-being provided with elongated slots 8 to receive the usual bolts 9, by means of which the adjacent ends of the rails are connected to the splicebars. The inner edge of the base is provided near one end with a bayonet-opening 10, comprising a transverse and longitudinal slot,and at the opposite end with a projecting bayonettongue 11. The edges of both the opening and tongue are dovetailed or inclined, as illustrated at 12, so that when the tongue of one splice-bar is slid longitudinally in the'opening of the adjacent splice-bar the two splicebars will not only be prevented from moving laterally with relation to each other, but will also be prevented from moving vertically.

In operation the splice-bars are introduced laterally to the rails by sliding the base portions 2 thereof under the base of the rail from opposite sides until the bayonet-tongues of each splice-bar enter the transverse slot of the bayonet-opening of the oppositelylocated splice-bar. After this is effected one of the splice-bans is moved longitudinally with respect to the other splice-bar, thereby bringing the engaging shoulders of the bayonetopening into contact and engagement, as illustrated in the plan-section, Fig. 2. After this is accomplished the fastening spikes are driven through the lugs 4 in a manner which will be readily understood.

It will also be noticed that the tongues 11 are made tapering, the object in view being to draw the splicebars together as they are moved longitudinally with relationtoeach.

other. In this Way the splice-bars are adjustable' to rails of any size and may be instantly applied.

From theforegoing description it will be seen that after the splice-bars are properly adjusted to the rails an elfective and reliable interlocking engagement is obtained between the base portions of the splice-bars which will prevent both vertical and lateral movement, while longitudinal movement of thesaid bars is prevented by means of the spikes which are driven into the ties. A perfectly-level seat or rest is provided for the adjacent ends of the rails, and a solid vise-like clamp is provided for engaging the base-flanges of the rails. The rail-joint is boltless and at the same time provides for the necessary expansion and contraction of the rails. A broad base is also provided, adapted to rest upon the ordinary wooden or other ties. The two parts of the joint are also the counterpart of each other, and any two splice-bars may be engaged with each other to form a complete joint.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

A rail-joint comprising plates each of which is provided with base portions having at opposite ends lugs with openings therein,and curved flanges made in ogee form rising upward from the base-plates and having elongated slots therein, the inner edges of the base-plates provided at one end with an opening consisting of a longitudinal and transverse slot, the opposite end of the plate having a tapering tongue and the edges of said longitudinal and transverse slots and said tongues being beveled or inclined whereby when the two plates are connected together lateral and vertical movement is prevented, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WALTER A. MOFFAT.

Witnesses:

JACOB SCHNEIDER, ERWIN MCCALL. 

